Chapter 9

A few days after sending in her paperwork, her phone rang. When Ari looked at the caller ID, it was AmericanMate.

"Hello?" Ari asked, answering on the first ring. Butterflies danced in her stomach. This was the call she had been waiting for.

"Yes. Is this Miss Ari Douglas?" a female voice asked at the other end.

Ari worked to keep her voice even. "Yes, this is Ari," she replied, her heart pounding.

"Hello. My name is Alba and I'm calling from AmericanMate," the woman said. "We received your paperwork and the owner would like to speak with you personally regarding your match. Do you have a moment?"

"Yes, of course." Every scenario ran through her mind from being set up with a millionaire to being rejected… and everything between.

"Hold just one moment, please." Chamber music immediately started playing in her ear.

Ari didn't mind. She was glad for the moment of reprieve. She took a few deep, calming breaths while she waited.

Vickie looked over from her desk where she was doing her homework and raised her eyebrows. Ari nodded broadly, silently telling her that it was AmericanMate.

"See if you can Skype the call," Vickie whispered, "Or at least put it on speaker phone."

Ari didn't want to at first, but then realized that it would be good to have someone else monitor the call. She was so nervous and excited that she was afraid she might miss something.

"If I do that, you have to promise me not to say a thing."

Vickie nodded, as her mouth opened wide in disbelief, as if to say, Don't I always?

"Good afternoon," a cheerful male voice said on the line. "This is Hugh Franklin, owner of AmericanMate. How are you today?"

"I'm fine, thank you," Ari replied. "Would you mind if I put you on speaker phone?"

"No, not at all," he said. Ari quickly hit the button so Vickie could listen, too. "Miss Douglas, I just wanted to thank you for applying to our agency and to personally welcome you to AmericanMate."

"Thank you." Ari was surprised that the owner called himself and wondered it if was standard procedure.

"I also wanted to let you know that I didn't put you on the site but found you a suitable mate who insists upon complete discretion," he continued. "Of course, you will be sworn to absolute secrecy."

Ari glanced up at Vickie, who was just as confused. "Yes, of course."

"Good," Mr. Franklin continued. "That said, I want you to know that we just received the highest bid we have ever received, but he would like to Skype with you before the transaction is complete."

"Yes, of course," Ari agreed. "May I ask, how much was the bid?"

"Three million dollars… and he will pay your travel expenses and any other expenses you may incur, of course."

Ari just about dropped the phone. On the other side of the room, Vickie was silently doing a happy dance. Ari ignored her.

"Will you be free tomorrow... say... around twelve noon?" Mr. Franklin asked. "With the time difference, it would make it five o'clock in the evening his time."

"Yes. That's fine." It would give her time to get ready. "May I ask where he lives?"

"I can't give you too many details, but he is from Estrea, a sovereign, European country," Mr. Franklin replied. "He will fill you in on the details, but if you both accept, you will be required to fly to Estrea to live right away. Would that be acceptable?"

Ari sighed. She hated the thought of leaving her mother and her sister, but she would be willing to do just about anything if it meant the opportunity to save her sister. "Yes, of course."

"Good!"

"What is his name?"

There was a pause, and then Mr. Franklin said, "Of course, you have already signed a gag order, so you are sworn to absolute secrecy."

"Yes, of course." Ari looked up at Vickie. "My friend Vickie is listening. Is that okay?"

There was a slight pause and then he replied. "We prefer discretion. Please, take me off speaker phone."

"Yes, sir." She did as he asked and Vickie plopped down dramatically on her back onto her bed, dying to know who it was. "Okay. I'm ready." Ari's heart beat wildly in anticipation.

"His name is Prince Grayson Pierce of Estrea. He's the Crown Prince."

Ari nearly fell off the bed. "So, if we marry, that will make me a princess?"

Vickie's eyes nearly bulged out of her head.

She could hear the smile in his voice at the other end. "Yes, it would. And if all goes well, their future queen, when the time comes. But that will be a matter for later discussion."

"I see...."

"So, are you in agreement?" Mr. Franklin waited expectantly.

Ari sighed. It was a lot to give up, but also a lot to gain. And her sister was worth every bit... without a doubt. "Yes, of course."

"Good!" Mr. Franklin exclaimed as if he had just heard he's won the Lottery. "I'll have Alba send you the Skype link in just a bit."

Vickie was literally jumping up and down on her bed again.

Ari rolled her eyes. "I'm looking forward to it." After she clicked off, she looked up at Vickie. "Do you think I'm doing the right thing?"

Vickie plopped down on the bed, staring at her with wide eyes, reminding Ari of a child. "Who is it?" she asked in a low voice.

Ari sighed. "I swear if you tell anyone, I'll never speak to you again."

Vickie crossed her heart.

"The Prince of Estrea... wherever that is."

Vickie thought for a moment and then shrugged. "Well? You could do worse."